There’s plenty to do indoors in this outdoors town

Parents appreciate DECC’s Pop-up Play Event

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY KATHLEEN MURPHY

Ask any parent how their winter is going, and they’re bound to tell you: Great, except the kids have cabin fever.

This can be overcome for a time by activities like arts and crafts, playing together, and sometimes even screen time. Eventually, however, the truth becomes obvious. The kids — and probably their parents — need space to run and play. We are fortunate to live in the Northland. We have ample outdoor opportunities.

But occasionally it is simply too cold. Or too damp. Or too icy. What to do?

There are a lot of options in Duluth. The Duluth Children’s Museum is a popular choice. The museum boasts a toddler-sized cardboard maze to navigate, STEM stations to ponder, and a replica Aerial Lift Bridge to climb. Kids can spend hours here, playing with other children, moving their bodies and forgetting that antsy, cooped-up, mid-winter feeling.

Several other museums in town provide room for children to move and explore. Head to the Great Lakes Aquarium or the Lake Superior Zoo if you have an animal-loving toddler. Both have open spaces for the kids to move about and stretch their legs. The Aquarium also features water tables for interactive play. Both have planned activity times throughout the day; check websites for times and admission costs.

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum in the Depot beckons to any child who enjoys “big, shiny things that move.” Not only is the museum visually stimulating for kids, it has the added benefit of requiring a lot of energy to explore as kids climb in and out of the train cars. The St. Louis County Historical Society and the Duluth Art Institute are also housed within the Depot. If your child just can’t get enough of the transportation theme, the Maritime Visitor Center in Canal Park offers multiple floors and several hands-on exhibits. An old captain’s wheel facing the lake never fails to capture the imagination.

Museums are great for firing up the mind and encouraging creativity, but some days, the kids simply need to run and expend energy rather than explore. For this, open gym times reign supreme. The YMCA facilities in both Duluth and Superior offer open gym time, as well as open swim time in their pools. These options welcome parental participation as well, for those who need a bit of mid-winter activity along with their children. A few of the local community centers, such as the Woodland Community Center (also part of the YMCA) offer toddler programs at a minimal cost — sometimes as low as one dollar per child. Call your community center to find out if they have options for your family.

Several area businesses feature trampoline parks and tumbling facilities. Planet 3, the area’s newest facility, offers park hours specifically for children ages 6 and younger. Twin Ports Gymnastics in Superior hosts several open gym times for young kids, as does the Gymnastics Academy in Duluth. The Edgewater Waterpark on London Road sells day passes, beckoning those kids who live for the water.

Most of the above places, of course, cost money, putting them out of reach for some families. In an effort to curb cabin fever and offer a practical, no-cost alternative for parents, the Miller Hill Mall recently opened a new playland for young children. Located near the food court, the play area offers seats for parents to relax and watch their children, along with northwoods-themed soft climbing structures for the young ones.

In January, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center hosted an event to help beat cabin fever. “I have two kids myself,” said Chris Johnson, marketing director at the DECC. “We’re always looking for new things to do in the winter months. It occurred to me that the Lake Superior Ballroom was the perfect place for kids to run.”

Hence the DECC’s first Pop-up Play Event. Directed towards kids younger than 8, children enjoyed play equipment and activities contributed by several area organizations. 3 Owls Outdoor Play consultants set up a pop-up nature playscape, allowing kids to climb and jump through the outdoors while indoors. “We will bring the nature to you,” said Laura Judd, consultant for 3 Owls.

Kickstarters Soccer provided a huge area to run and — of course — kick balls. Legacy Toys and the Duluth YMCA brought several large toys for children to play on and around. Two-year-old Quinton climbed and played with a giant Connect 4 game that was several heads taller than himself. “This event is awesome,” said Quinton’s dad, Ryan Young, as he helped his son down from the chair and encouraged him to pick up more giant checkers. “He hasn’t stopped since we got here.”

UMD Bulldog mascot “Champ” high-fived kids, and Laural Schultze of Lauralloons twisted balloon animals for what appeared to be a never-ending line. For the children who needed a few quiet moments, the Duluth Public Library provided chairs and a reading corner. The event had something for everyone. Parents, for their part, were able to enjoy at least one January day knowing their children had expended pent-up energy.

The DECC estimates over 500 people attended the event. They hope to host another one in the future. Follow the DECC’s Facebook page or check their website to watch for details. — MDT

Murphy is a freelance journalist who lives and works in Duluth.